Iraq Declares Official Holiday in Seven Provinces Amid Soaring Temperatures
The extreme heat coincides with daily protests across Iraq, as citizens demand basic services like water and electricity, highlighting growing frustration over persistent infrastructure failures.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Iraqi government on Sunday declared an official holiday in seven southern provinces as scorching temperatures continue to grip the country, urging residents to remain indoors unless necessary.
According to a government statement, the decision affects the provinces of Basra, Dhi Qar, Maysan, Karbala, Diwaniyah, Babil, and Wasit and was taken “to ensure the safety of citizens and public sector employees” amid an unprecedented heatwave.
The closure exempts essential sectors such as healthcare, electricity, and municipal services, which are expected to remain operational to ensure the continuity of basic public services.
Iraq's Meteorological Authority has not officially recorded temperatures surpassing 50°C (122°F) — levels considered among the most extreme in the country’s history.
The extreme heat comes as Iraq faces daily protests across several provinces, with citizens decrying the lack of basic services such as clean water and electricity. The sweltering summer conditions have intensified public frustration over the government’s failure to address long-standing infrastructure gaps.
Meteorologists have described the current heatwave as one of the harshest of the year, warning that continued exposure without adequate protection could lead to severe health consequences, especially in vulnerable communities.
As temperatures continue to rise across the Middle East, Iraq remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the region, often registering among the hottest places on Earth during the summer months.